It’s time for the members of M.E.S. Road Ganapathypuram Welfare Association, East Tambaram, to rejoice. For, their long-pending desire to have a pedestrian subway is near fulfilment.
Constructed at a cost of ₹3.85 crore, the subway that connects East and West Tambaram will be thrown open to the public in a fortnight. The underpass is being constructed under the flyover-cum-grade separator, which connects Grand Southern Trunk Road and Mudichur Road, West Tambaram, and Velachery Main Road, East Tambaram.
“The width of the underpass is six metres and more than 85% of the construction work has been completed, says a Southern Railway official. On the eastern side of the underpass, the entrance from Suddhananda Bharathi Street, East Tambaram, an overhead roof has been constructed above the staircases leading to the surface area of the underpass. On the western side leading to GST Road, West Tambaram, works are going on in full swing to construct stainless steel hand railings on either side of the staircases and an overhead roof. Besides, a walkers’ path will be laid from GST Road till the entrance and exit points of the underpass. Once these works are completed, the work on laying tiles on the walls and at the walking area will be taken up, followed by installation of lights,” the official added.
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To commute between West and East Tambaram, pedestrians should use the foot overbridge at Tambaram railway station. Finding it difficult to climb the staircases and the fear of crossing the road amidst speeding vehicles on the service lanes of the flyover, pedestrians tend to cross the railway tracks.
Arun Kumar Bhattacharjee, secretary, MES Road Ganapathypuram Welfare Association, East Tambaram, says “We will create awareness among residents and school students to use the subway and about the dangers of crossing railway tracks.”